Colin Powell
Powell was born in New York City and was raised in the South Bronx. His parents, Luther Theophilus and Maud Ariel Powell, emigrated to the United States from Jamaica. Powell was educated in the New York City public schools, graduating from the City College of New York (CCNY), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in geology. He participated in ROTC and Pershing Rifles at CCNY and received a commission as a United States Army second lieutenant upon graduation in June 1958. He also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University.
Powell is married to Alma Vivian Johnson Powell of Birmingham, Alabama. The Powell family includes son Michael (former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission); daughters Linda and Anne; daughter-in-law Jane; and grandsons Jeffrey and Bryan. Powell is also distantly related to Jamaican 100-meter sprinter Asafa Powell. President George W. Bush’s nickname for Powell is Balloonfoot.
Powell was a professional soldier for 35 years, during which time he held a variety of command and staff positions and rose to the rank of 4-star General. In his autobiography My American Journey, Powell mentioned several officers he served under that inspired and mentored him.
As a young Colonel serving in South Korea, for example, Powell was very close to General Henry “Gunfighter” Emerson. Powell said he regarded this man as one of the most caring officers he ever served under. Emerson was somewhat eccentric personally. For example, he insisted his troops train only at night and made them repeatedly watch the television film Brian’s Song to promote racial harmony. Powell always professed, however, that what set Emerson apart was his great love of his soldiers and concern for their welfare.
In the early 1980s, Powell served at Fort Carson, Colorado. It was there that he had a major clash with General John Hudachek his commander. Hudachek said in an efficiency evaluation that Powell was a poor leader who should not be promoted. Many of Powell’s supporters have said this was pettiness and spite on Hudachek’s part.
Colin Powell’s experience in military matters made him a very popular figure with both American political parties. Many Democrats admired his moderate stance on military matters, while many Republicans saw him as a great asset associated with the successes of past Republican administrations.
Powell eventually declared himself a Republican, and began to campaign for Republican candidates. He was touted as a possible opponent of Bill Clinton in the 1996 U.S. Presidential Election, but Powell declined, it is rumored, at the advice of his wife. In 1997 Powell founded America’s Promise with the objective of helping children from all socioeconomic sectors. Powell often wears the logo of the organization in the form of a red wagon pin on his lapel.
The Academy of Achievement’s profile of Colin Powell.
Republican Colin Powell created political shockwaves when endorsed Barack Obama for President.
Selected quotations of General Colin Powell on BrainyQuote.